Libya’s Education Minister Sentenced Over Textbook Mismanagement Scandal

Moussa al-Megarief, Libya’s education minister, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for a 2021 textbook shortage that forced parents to pay for photocopies. He was fined 1,000 dinars and lost civil rights for the duration of his sentence. The minister faced accusations of favoritism and contract mismanagement, which led to an investigation into the situation.

The Libyan education minister, Moussa al-Megarief, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison due to a textbook shortage issue from 2021. According to the attorney general’s office, the Tripoli court of appeal also imposed a fine of 1,000 dinars (approximately $200) and stripped him of his civil rights for the duration of his sentence and an additional year thereafter.

Al-Megarief, who is a member of the national unity government, faced accusations of violating the principle of equality and favoring an unnamed party in the management of contracts regarding textbook printing. This controversy emerged at the onset of the 2021 school year when parents were compelled to spend money on photocopied versions of textbooks intended to be distributed freely in public schools.

An investigation was initiated into his handling of the contractual procedures associated with printing textbooks and the reasons for the shortages experienced. Although al-Megarief was released from custody due to insufficient evidence and continued in his role as education minister, he linked the textbook shortage to the unification of the school curriculum across Libya’s three regions, which he claimed delayed payments to suppliers.

The conviction of Moussa al-Megarief reflects serious accountability measures following a significant textbook shortage in Libya’s education system. His admission of responsibility related to delays caused by curricular unification highlights the complexities faced during educational reforms. The ruling emphasizes the importance of managing governmental contracts with integrity to avoid favoritism and ensure equal access to educational resources.

Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk